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Are you thinking about your thinking?

Are you thinking about your thinking?

That might sound an odd question but if we can become aware of our thoughts and question them, then in turn we can direct our thinking for better outcomes. This is known as metacognition.

It matters because our brain is exposed to so much stimuli every second that what we perceive isn’t actually real in an objective sense…

Let me explain that, it’s real to us, but our brain is forming an expectation based on our perception, so we see our version of reality rather than an objective reality.

In effect our senses are projectors filtering the world through our own experience, as much as they are receptors.

This is why two people can view the same situation very differently. Once we’re aware of this it give us the power to see if we want to think differently to achieve a different outcome, something called cognitive restructuring.

It’s a really powerful tool to use, put simply, you can ask of your thoughts, “is it really true?” then by questioning them you can choose a different thought or meaning that’s going to take you in the direction of your goals.

This can be a great tool to use when we’re feeling anxious or frightened, when we’re worried, or when we feel unsure.

It’s worth noting that at midlife when our hormones and neurotransmitters are fluctuating, then these too can have an impact on our thoughts and emotions, so this is something we should also factor in. For example, lower testosterone may make us feel more anxious or less focused.

I’d love to know, how do you reposition your thoughts to achieve a different outcome?

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